A robot’s accuracy, our surgeons’ expertise
Most hospitals offer robotic surgery. At UofL Health, however, simply offering robotic surgery isn’t enough. When you combine the latest, most accurate robotic technology in the region with the expertise of nationally-renowned surgeons, you get the most progressive surgery options available in the region. Consider Dr. Daniel Metzinger. His mission is to bring outstanding minimally-invasive robotic surgery for gynecologic malignancies and benign gynecologic conditions to Louisville, Ky., and the surrounding region. Dr. Metzinger has performed more than 2,000 successful robotic procedures for gynecologic diseases and conditions. Because of his high volume of cases and advanced robotics surgical team, he has developed surgical techniques that allow patients to have a short hospital stay and a quick return to work. He has been teaching these surgical techniques for many years both locally and nationally. UofL Hospital utilizes the da Vinci® Robotic Surgery XI system, giving our surgeons the most innovative and progressive system available today. Dr. Metzinger is just one of our doctors who utilizes the da Vinci® XI for robotic surgery. That's the Power of U.
About da Vinci® Robotic Surgery
Our surgeons were the first in Kentucky to use the da Vinci® Robotic Surgery to treat patients with colorectal and head and neck conditions. Today, they also use it to treat some general surgery conditions and for some types of cancer. The robot enables surgeons to perform delicate operations with breakthrough precision. The da Vinci puts a camera at the site of cancer or the area of the body where the surgeon is operating and gives them the ability to see everything. It provides surgeons with exceptional vision, precision, dexterity and improved access to the treatment site. The benefits to the patient are smaller incisions, less pain and faster recovery, which means a shorter hospital stay. Scroll down to learn more about our team of world-renowned surgeons who use this advanced technology in other surgical specialties.
Colorectal surgery
Dr. Jeffrey Jorden was the first in the region to use the technology to perform colorectal operations. The robot permits Drs. Jorden and Russell Farmer to perform pelvic dissection less invasively and with great precision.
Ears, nose, and throat
Drs. Jeffrey Bumpous and Kevin Potts were the first head and neck surgeons in Kentucky to perform Transoral Robotic Surgery (ToRS). Robotic technology allows head and neck surgeons to access difficult areas of the throat and voice box enabling benign and malignant tumor resection in some patients. The voice and swallowing outcomes, as well as cosmetic results, are superior compared to radical open procedures.
General surgery
Dr. Farid Kehdy, a general surgeon specializing in minimally invasive surgery, uses the robot for hernia repair, gallbladder surgery and surgical management of heartburn (GERD) and swallowing difficulties.
Gynecologic oncology
Dr. Daniel Metzinger and Dr. Sarah Todd are gynecologic oncologists with UofL Physicians – OB/GYN & Women’s Health and UofL Health - Brown Cancer Center. They utilize robotic surgery in the treatment of gynecologic cancers including endometrial, cervical, uterine, ovarian, vaginal and vulvar cancers. They also treat benign gynecologic conditions such as dysplasia, cysts, fibroids and endometriosis with robotic surgery techniques. Robotic surgery allows complex cancer surgeries to be performed less invasively and with improved recovery.
Surgical oncology (cancer surgeons)
Dr. Prejesh Philips, a surgical oncologist, uses the robot to perform complex cancer surgery of the upper GI and liver, pancreas and biliary system including pancreatectomy, splenectomy, esophago-gastrectomy, radical gastrectomy and liver resections.
Urology
Drs. Jamie Messer and Ahmed Haddad, oncology fellowship-trained urologists with UofL Physicians – Urology, use the da Vinci for prostatectomy, partial nephrectomy, complex Nephrectomy, pyeloplasty and ureteral reconstruction. Dr. Messer also uses the da Vinci for radical cystectomy and is the only urologist offering robotic-assisted urinary diversions such as neobladder and Indiana Pouch close to home in Kentucky.
Dr. Kellen Choi is the only female fellowship-trained urologist in Louisville. As a member of UofL Physicians – Urology, she uses the da Vinci for complex urinary reconstruction surgeries including pyeloplasty and ureteral reconstruction, vesicovaginal fistula repair, and sacrocolpopexy.
Urogynecology
Dr. Sean Francis specializes in female pelvic and reconstructive surgery, uses the technology to perform robotic sacrocolpopexy (reconstruction of the vagina for prolapse) and hysterectomy.
